No shows on Freecycle drive me crazy!

[Chipper]

alot of people use a program that automatically answers every post as they are trying to get the " good things " they think they can resell-
i dont give out my addy or consider it 100% taken until they have responded to my you can have it when can you pick up email - the auto responders also arent very specific - so i am mor elikely to answer / give something to someone who states something that references the item in their response IE for - "i have a 10 yo who these will fit perfectly " - the ones that say " - i will take it can come right away " - i tend to delete as auto reponders .

This is good stuff -- I'm going to try to put together some things that might help identify if they are going to be a no show.

Unfortunately, it looks like one of them might be, "you should usually ignore the first responder."

Just curious if anybody else can share anything that would clue you in on a potential no show.

[queenfluff]

I know this thread is old but I wanted to add my compliant to the list. I think I am done with it too!

We had a family garage sale this past weekend (practically giving stuff away right?) but still had some leftovers.

So, being the super nice person that I am, I like to be able to give away individual things to people in the neighborhood that I don't want anymore.

I don't know what is worse freecycle or craigslist no show. It almost like the freecycle no shows get "buyers remorse" even though they are getting something for free. I mean, how hard is it to get off your lazy butt and go pick something FREE up? At least with craigslist, you can just leave it and put up an add that says first come first serve but I don't want to put my address up on craigslist.

Worse is those people who fill you a message right after your freecycle post and say "I want this. Call me" and give you their number. NO! I DO NOT call people. I have a pay as you go phone - its expensive. It is like they want you to do all the work to get them their free item. No, sorry it should be the other way around. I have had people ask me if I could bring it to their house! WHAT?? What you do think I am??? You should feel lucky that I PICKED you at all as there are always a bunch of emails right after you post something.

Why do people feel they are so entitled?

I hadn't freecycled in a bit until this weekend when I put up some of the garage sale leftovers. I had someone respond who pick a date and range of time (I give people a few hours because big city traffic can be bad). In fact, I let THEM choose the time because I am flexible and want it over and done with. So, I leave the item out an hour before AND after the range of time they said they would come (THREE HOURS of a time range so I left it out for 5 hours). They didn't show up so I snatched that bad boy back into the house because of course I am mad. That is disrespecting my time. Half an hour after I take the item back in, they show up -RINGING the door bell because the item isn't there. TOUGH!!! I am NOT answering the door. You had THREE hours (plus the extra two I left it out for early or late arrival!) But oh no, even though YOU picked the time to come, you STILL can't get their on time.

Honestly, I am the only one left on the plant who has ANY concept of time in their heads? I mean, it is a FREE items - I go out of my way to put it out for you. The item technically belongs to me so I can snatch it back it when you don't show up.

Seriously, how can someone be 4 HOURS late from something?? I don't get it.

So, anyhow, even though I have a whole mess of bags of stuff and boxes to give away I am going to Goodwill -I honestly don't need to deal with this. At least, Goodwill will be there when they say they will and take everything at once and it won't take 4 HOURS!! Which is sort of bummer because I like the idea of freecycle but in reality it doesn't always work out because of the bummy late people or no shows. The more people that stiff me the more I don't want to use it except to pick something up for me.

This said (and vented!) I myself have gotten some great things on freecycle because I actually SHOW UP on time for things!!! Although, people have forgotten to leave things out for me. I have just not showed up or showed up 4 hours late.

I can't believe how disrepectful some people are though. Why do they think their time is more important than your time?

[bumplett]

my biggest issue with Freecycle is that it takes the mods TOO LONG to post the listing.

I've been posting on both CL & Freecycle, so when I post at 8 pm Saturday night on both sites, and Freecycle doesn't post it on the board until after 9 am Sunday morning, well - guess what, it's GONE already!

The purpose of Freecycle was supposed to be to keep things out of the landfill - NOT to completly furnish someone's home, and clothe their children. Geez.

I try to find out exactly where an item is (people are NOT specific enough) & I will honestly say, "thanks anyway, that's too far for me"

I try to be very specific as to what area of town I'm in, but people can't read - grrr.

I just leave it on the porch - then I don't have to be home/or come to the door - I prefer to pick things up that way also -

I'll try a few of the tips given in this thread, such as keeping track of those that could use certain size ranges, have boys, are friendly, etc. As well as a list of no-shows.

Great idea!

[OldRoads]

As well as a list of no-shows.

That's the biggest problem I've had with Freecycle - the no-shows.

[khaski]

I guess I am a little confused as to why it is so upsetting to you if people are an hour or two late, if you are just leaving things out on the doorstep? People get delayed here and there, and I am a BIG stickler for being on time, but in all honesty, if I know someone is just leaving something out for me, I am not is such a rush to be prompt. I totally understand not leaving something out overnight, but if they say 10 am is it really a big deal to leave it out til 4 pm? I guess I am just thinking it might be less stress for you to NOT have people ringing your bell, looking for their item if they're a bit late. I agree about the no-shows driving me nuts too though! I also love the emails 'What town are you in?' when it's in both my title and description. 'Oh, how far is that from my town?' What?!? Is maplblast borken on your computer?

[many houseapes]

absolutely...I am really annoyed at this growing trend. I am the moderator of a similar, smaller group here (ReCycle), and when people make a habit of not showing up, they are put on a "no show list" on the group & the other group members see that list & know who not to give to.
I have a lady who lives down the street from me- she could walk over & pick it up-after a few times of not picking up the stuff I gave her, I put her on the list.